Sequencing and comparative genomics of Armillaria species – A. ostoyae and A. cepistipes. Armillaria comparative genome project

Species of Armillaria are amongst the most common fungi in forest soils and the majority of them are necrotrophic pathogens. There are species considered primary pathogens while others are opportunistic or mostly saprotrophic. They spread in the soil by rizomorphs, shoestring-like unique organs, involved in their migratory and exploratory activities. As saprotrophs, Armillaria spp. are white rot species, which can efficiently decompose all components of plant cell walls, including lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin. The pathogenic A. ostoyae and the saprotrophic or occasionally opportunistic A. cepistipes exhibit more invasive affinity towards coniferous trees.